Ngarkat - Incident Update
Issued for NGARKAT, in the Ngarkat Conservation Park.
The CFS is continuing to respond to 2 scrub fires at Mount Rescue and Piggery Track within the Ngarkat Conservation Park in the Murraylands, South Australia.
Approximately 42 CFS volunteers and National Parks and Wildlife Service personnel, on 21 trucks, are on scene working to contain the fire and minimise the impacts to the conservation park. Crews are also being supported by a number of aircraft and heavy machinery.
Both fires are not yet under control and are expected to burn for several days, covering a combined area of approximately 9,400 ha. In preparation for heightened fire weather on Saturday additional crews will be deployed.
Thanks to the work of heavy machinery, a mineral earth break was successfully constructed around the perimeter of the Mount Rescue fire. Firefighters are continuing to work in conjunction with machinery to bolster control lines on the Piggery fire and are actively patrolling and monitoring for hotspots. However, difficult and sandy terrain on the Western and Northern edges of the fireground are providing challenges for machinery operators.
The committed efforts of firefighters have proven effective in protecting the critical habitat of the nationally endangered Mallee Whipbird and Mallee Emu Wren. Prescribed burn programs previously undertaken by National Parks and Wildlife Service have also played a crucial role in controlling these fires, assisting ground crews in halting the forward rate of spread.
Roads are currently open around this incident, however this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au
Ngarkat Conservation Park is closed to the public until further notice.
These fires do not currently pose any threat to the community, however smoke will be visible from some distance. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters, other emergency personnel and heavy machinery operators who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.
Smoke from multiple fires in the South East of the state may still be visible in a variety of areas across South Australia. The current weather pattern is expected to cause smoke to be visible across these areas potentially for the next few days. However, if you observe any smoke followed by flames or thick smoke plumes, please call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Message ID 0008304
